Solidago speciosa
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Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: goldenrod
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: Central and eastern United States
Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders, Lucy and Stanley Lopata Prairie Garden
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Drought, Deer
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates poor, dry soils. Remove spent flower clusters to encourage additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Showy goldenrod is a rhizomatous, Missouri native perennial which typically occurs in dry soils in open woods, fields and prairies throughout most of the State except the Ozark region. Features tiny, bright yellow flowers borne in dense, erect, club-shaped terminal clusters atop stiff, narrow-leaved, reddish stems typically growing 2-3' tall. Flowers bloom mid to late summer. As the common name suggests, this species is one of the showiest of the many goldenrods. Goldenrods have been wrongly accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf rust is an occasional problem. May need to be divided every 2 to 3 years to control growth.

Garden Uses

Provides good color and contrast in late summer for the perennial border, wild garden, prairie, meadow, native plant garden or naturalized area.

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